The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was denied. A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective September 21, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s PFB did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of characteristic lesions involving at least 5% of the entire body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy was required.
- Claimed conditions
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20002350
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee strain, left knee strain, pseudofolliculitis barbae, somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain and generalized anxiety disorder, and throbbing head pain on a direct basis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for various disabilities including back, lower extremity radiculopathy, knee, facial scar, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and erectile dysfunction.
- Partly granted
The appeal was dismissed for the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, and service connection for migraine headaches was restored. Several claims for service connection were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and a rating in excess of 50 percent for the associated scars.
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